How the mighty have fallen

“A bit for your thoughts sister.” Celestia didn't even glance at Luna when she heard this. Having been in a near catatonic state after hearing what Chrysalis had to say. The night princess nearly had to drag her back to her chambers after their meeting. Laying in front of a fire for the past hour there had been no changes. It didn't matter what Luna tried her sister seemed lost in her own mind. Luna let out a dejected sigh and cuddled closer to Celestia. Her heart had slowed to a sluggish pace which made her body a tad bit cooler than usual. Often times the sisters would share a moment similar to this, albeit it would usually bring on a much more cheerful mood.

They had always been a source of comfort for one another, much more so after Lunas return. Both were overjoyed to have someone there who knew and excepted them, even with all of their faults. Now though... Luna couldn't help but feel as if she was failing her sister all over again. She was lying beside her in a sorry state and nothing she could do was helping. The fact tore into her, nearly made her desperate in the process.

“Tia, I know what Chrysalis said was shocking. It borders on insane actually. To so calmly say that your own life should be taken is not something you see often. That is so much more true in these times.” She glanced over at her sister, looking for any sign of recognition across her features. There was nothing.

“Sister you have made the world a much more peaceful place in my absence. Something like this before the nightmare would not have been too out of place but now it is something unprecedented. Tia we have both been alive for a long time, we have done much we would like to forget. One thing that has held true in all of our past experiences is that you never failed to try and help. No matter the crime, no matter the enemy, you have always held on to the belief that deep down every creature has good in them. You just have to take the time to look.”

Celestia had taken in every word, her confidence was bolstered and she draped a wing over her sister. She heard a soft sob from Luna, her sister seemed relieved above all else. “That is very true, thank you for reminding me Luna. While we didn't have much of a choice in fighting her, I still feel responsible for putting her in such a sorry state. It has been a very long time since I had to solve a problem of this nature. As you said we are far past such... barbaric times. We need to find a way to drag her out of this emotional pit she is in while giving her a reason to continue on. Time is of the essence, we have a goal so what remains is a plan to achieve it.”

Neither of the princesses had gotten sleep that night. They were exchanging ideas until the sun needed to be raised. After engaging in their daily ritual with the heavenly bodies Celestia and Luna headed out of the sun princesses chambers. “Lulu, have we come to an agreement as to what needs done?”

Yawning into her hoof Luna shook her head slightly in an attempt to wake up. “Yes Tia we will divide and conquer on this. I will see you within the hour.” With that the sisters parted ways, Luna was headed to court while Celestia made her way to the dungeons once again.

After going through the motions to open the access door to level zero Celestia walked through and addressed the two guards stationed outside of Chrysalises cell. “Thank you two for the diligent watch. Your services will no longer be required here. Report to your supervisors for your next assignment.” The two exchanged a quick and confused glace before marching off. Even if they didn't know what was going on it's not like they would ever ignore a direct order from the princess. Unlocking the cell she found that its hold had not moved since last night. Or perhaps she just returned to the same exact spot, not a lot of room in the cell after all.

“Chrysalis, your punishment has been decided. If you would kindly follow me.” Celestia turned and started trotting towards the exit. A moment later she heard hoof falls behind her and couldn't help but smirk. As the two passed the guard outside of the door Chrysalis was surprised to see her escort stop. She wore a small smile and had an air of giddiness about her. So much for the benevolent ruler these ponies worship. Seems like the execution of an enemy puts some pep in the princesses step.

While preoccupied in her head she almost failed to notice the lack of a certain magic draining collar. Feeling with a hoof to be sure she wasn't imagining things, there was indeed no collar. Chrysalis looked to Celestia in confusion. The sun princess just smiled and continued on. There was something wrong with this situation, it put the changling of edge. While before she was near certain that this was her escort to an execution, now she hadn't the slightest clue what was going on.

Chrysalis always had an urge to control her surroundings. This made her quite the strategist, although in the few situations where she lacked power she tended to display anxiety and panic. Being no fool Chrysalis knew this and avoided such situations at all costs. While these emotions surged within her Chrysalis still lacked the motivation to do anything about it.

Without the collar she still had some magic, enough to get away in fact, yet there was something keeping her here. Even during that first encounter with Celestia she had felt no malice or even disdain from the alicorn. During that clash she had only felt sadness, whom it was directed at she had no idea. After all she could read emotion not thoughts. Now as Celestia lead Chrysalis into the unknown a few things were becoming glaringly obvious: they had left the dungeons, they were still inside, and they were heading up.

Each one served to confuse the changling even more. When they reached a landing and started to ascend again Chrysalis couldn't manage to withhold her curiosity. “What are you playing at Celestia? First it was the collar and now we're heading up to a tower. Not to mention you practically ooze positive emotion.”

Celestia couldn't help but let out a slight giggle, glancing back she found Chrysalis was not nearly as amused. “I'm not sure what you mean. There is no game, though I could go for some eye spy right about now.”

“Do you find it this amusing to drag someone to their death?!” Chrysalis screamed, she had stopped and was seething with anger. Celestia turned around with a sad little smile on her face. Chrysalis noticed that the air had the scent of... regret? “I apologize, that joke was in poor taste. It also seems that you do not enjoy the mystique. I should have told you what was going on from the start but I wanted it to be a surprise. Should have told you from the start that I am showing you to your new room.” She turned and continued down the hall, it wasn't far now.

The shock of that statement had frozen the changling in place. When she snapped of it she had to scramble to catch up. Falling in place behind the princess of the sun she was left with more questions than answers. The primary one being, 'what does she mean new room?' It only took another few minutes of walking before they had stopped in front of an ornate set of double doors. Turning to her newest guest Celestia spoke with an almost tranquil demeanor. “This will be your room for the remainder of your time here. Your 'punishment' is to be watched by myself. I will attempt to help you get rid of this dour mood. You are free to roam the castle and its grounds but please do not leave without my sister or I. Meals together are mandatory, all other interactions with me are optional. Any questions?”

“Uh..” Before Chrysalis could process all of this new information her new chaperone broke her train of thought. “Great! Lets go get breakfast I'm starving.” The sun princess practically pranced away humming a merry little tune. Deciding it best to follow along for now the changling quickly trotted to catch up. When she did Celestia fell back slightly until they were walking side by side. Flashing a small smile at the overgrown bug she halted her humming for a moment. “I almost forgot to mention this part, mainly since you've already been doing a wonderful job of it, but I feel I should mention it anyway. Please do not forcibly drain my subjects of emotion. If the ambient feelings around the castle don't turn out to be enough just ask me and I will gladly give you enough to satisfy your diet.”

Chrysalis could feel her face heat up as her anger surfaced again. “That will not be necessary princess.” That last word was laced with venom, as if it left a bad taste in the former queens mouth. The ruler of the sun did not fail to notice this. “I guess your right, my subjects do hold quite a lot of fear for you. I just can't seem to find a reason why.” There it was again, that smug confident little grin on her muzzle. Like nothing could even hope to touch her.

“No reason? Really? I could name quite a few off of the top of my head if you wish.” It was a wonder how she still held the throne if she was truly this ignorant.

“I'm sure you could. What I meant was reason to fear you now. Since you have arrived there has been no trouble at all from you. When some look at you they may still see a dangerous criminal. I believe that they are wrong. When I look at you what I see is someone in need of help, in need of a friend. That is why I do not fear you.”

No matter how hard she racked her brain Chrysalis could not formulate an adequate response. It was true, she had not done anything since arriving here. What was supposed to be a death sentence turned into something worse. She was now faced with one, possibly two, princesses that pitied her and wanted to be friends. Even though she hated this with every fiber of her being... she would continue to not do a thing about it. This was a punishment for failing her changlings, her children. The universe truly does have a strange way of working; instead of her choice of punishment she was faced with her own personal hell.

Then suddenly door. The former queen had ran face first into the dinning room doors while lost in thought. Celestia was trying and failing to hold back a laughing fit. She clutched her side with a hoof, looking nearly ready to fall over. Chrysalis had to swallow her building anger and slowly back away from the offending slab of wood. After giving it and Celestia an accusatory glare she opened it and trotted inside.

Still letting out the occasional giggle the sun princess followed closely behind. Luna was already in the dinning room having been waiting for her sister and their new guest for around twenty minutes. While alicorns did not technically need to sleep both princesses had fallen into the habit of resting and were now somewhat accustomed to it. So accustomed that one could fall asleep while waiting.

Lunas head rested on her hooves while a slight bit of drool was coming out of her mouth. Celestia just smiled and calmly walked over to her sister. Upon reaching her she conjured up a pair of cymbals. At which Chrysalis could only stare. Her image of the regal and dignified Celestia had finally been shattered and reconstruction started with... this.

Celestia winked in her direction and crashed the cymbals together. Luna violently flinched away while making a loud 'eeek' sound. She ended up on the floor looking like she saw her own ghost. Huffing and puffing for a minute she caught her breath and jumped up to face Celestia, whom was doubled over in laughter. “By mothers holy teats Tia! You fucking know I hate it when you do that! How old are you again!? Oh that's right, TWELVE!”

The more Luna yelled the more Celestia laughed and the more she laughed the more Luna yelled. It was a viscous cycle with no end in sight. While those two had their sibling quarrel Chrysalis was left standing off to the side with a deadpan look on her face.

Only one thing came to mind looking at the display before her. By the gods, these two are in charge of an entire country... how the hell did I lose to them?